Linville Land Harbor Members Report April/May 2008
GENERAL MANAGERS COMMENTS For 2008 I decided that a Members Report would benefit our members rather just distributing a copy of my monthly Managers Report which is primarily geared toward agenda items. That information is already readily available in the Board Minutes. I hope that you find this newsletter more informative and focused on shared interests. AMINISTRATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS The most noticeable capital improvement is the new wood floor in the POA reception area. Although it is beautiful it was chosen for practically. During snow, ice and rain events the carpet became saturated with water. As we have a lot of contractor and maintenance staff in and out of the reception area, mud was also an issue. Frequent cleaning of the carpet had become expensive therefore we felt that an easy maintenance wood floor would not only be easier to maintain but add a beautiful addition to our office.
LEGAL ISSUES There are two issues that the Board and staff are currently involved in: A member, Dr. Frank DeFelice sued Jim Watson, while Mr. Watson was still on the board, for overcharging for annual dues. Magistrates Court dismissed the case and Dr. DeFelice subsequently appealed the dismissal to District Court. Judge William A. Leavell, III issued an order affirming dismissal in District Court. Dr. Defelice filed a complaint with the State of North Carolina Department of The Secretary of State claiming that former Board President, Jeff Troy was Selling Securities Without A License As you may remember, Mr. Troy placed an article in last October s Harbor Lights gauging any interest our members may have in assisting our dam replacement efforts by providing low interest loans. Mr. Blackwell M. Brogden, Jr., Enforcement Attorney, Securities Division, North Carolina Secretary of State studied Dr. DeFelice s complaint, as well as our response. He responded that based on the facts presented, no further action by his office is warranted, and has closed the inquiry. Legal Fees Incurred To Date: $12,500.00 Plan B. The Committee for Plan B has been challenging the validity and wisdom of the replacement/repair of our dam, we have incurred and are obligated to legal and engineering fees in excess of $70,000.00 due to these actions.
WEB SITE The hits on our web site are astounding: March 2006: April 2006: No figures available 28,028 Hits March 2007: April 2007: 284,639 Hits 221,322 Hits March 2008: April 2008: 691,033 Hits 567,685 Hits
WEB CAM Web Cam at the 9 th green seems to be a success, with many positive comments. A Waterfall Cam is planned, as well as a Dam Cam for 2009. A footnote: The Web Cam went down the week of May 5 th, 2008. It has been sent to the manufacturer for repairs and should be back up within two weeks. DAM UPDATE On April 10, 2008 the North Carolina Division of Water Quality sent notification requiring an engineer s analysis and justification regarding rejection of Plan B as a practical alternative to our dam replacement. After correspondence between this agency and North Carolina Dam Safety and Mr. James D. Simons, Director, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, North Carolina Division of Water Quality has rescinded their request and apologized for any misrepresentation that may have occurred. I met with the Army Corps of Engineers and the NC Wildlife Commission on April 15 th regarding our dam replacement application. We discussed, at length, their meeting with representatives of Plan B. They stated that they felt that the meeting was misrepresented. They thought that they were meeting with a group sent by the sanctioning body of Linville Land Harbor. The NC Wildlife Commission representatives stated that since this was a repair/replacement of our dam that they would sign off on it and not contest it, however they were very emphatic that if this application was for a new dam, in a new location, that they would be fighting us on it. Both the Army Corp of Engineers and the NC Wildlife Commission stated that they felt proper due diligence had been performed by Linville Land Harbor and that permits would be forthcoming. POLICE DEPARTMENT I am pleased to report that we have hired Nedra Vance as Police Officer for Land Harbor. Nedra served as a Police Officer with Sugar Mountain for 17 years, and most recently with Linville Ridge for 6 years. She is married to David Charles Vance, Avery County Emergency Management Director. Nedra is a welcome addition to our Police Department. MAINTENANCE/UTILITIES WORK ORDERS During the month of March Maintenance received 133 work orders. During this month Maintenance has completed 82 work orders. For the month of April 96 work orders were received. During this same period 101 work orders have been completed. For the year of 2007, Maintenance received 1,389 work orders and has completed 1231 work orders. In 2008 there have been a total of 362 work orders received. During this period 288 work orders have been completed.
WATER FALL Native planting are underway around the water fall. Once complete, it should appear to be a natural fall that has always been there.
ROADS Paving for 2008 will primarily be patching and repairs, as most major paving projects are now complete. SECURITY UPGRADES Security cameras with 24/7 recording have been ordered for the Golf and Maintenance area to assist us in the protection of our valuable assets. The cost will be split equally between Maintenance, Utilities and Golf. BRIEF NOTES OF IMPROVEMENTS IN PROGRESS DOG PARK The new sod in the Dog Park has rooted in extremely well and is in beautiful condition, thanks to the diligent watering by our landscape staff.
LANDSCAPE PROJECTS The following projects are under way: Water Feature at entrance to Police/Recreation. Flower bed at activities sign. New rock, shrubbery, tree and flower bed entrance to Highland Hills. Two new flower beds at the Golf House at the corner of LLH Pkwy and Goose Hollow Roads. Hanging flower baskets throughout Land Harbor on all decorative light poles.
STREET SIGNAGE All speed limit and traffic signs throughout Land Harbor are being changed to the standard white lettering on green background. The unusual speed limits on our signs were done to develop recognition. A speed limit sign with 5 mph increments (standard everywhere) become invisible after awhile. Studies have shown that odd number (increments of 3 rather than 5) speed limits become extremely visible and are retained. THE POINT The aerial power line over The Point has been placed underground. The area between the LLH Parkway and the children s pond will be mulched and several picnic tables and benches placed in this relaxing area.
RECREATION The new playground equipment has been delivered. The playground will be between the Police Dept. and the lake. There will also be picnic tables and park benches in this area. GOLF A new Golf Shop Manager has been hired. She is Frances (Tobie) Ledford. Many of you may know Tobie from her many years of service at Avery County Bank and First Citizens Bank. Also, Bob Morris has been hired as a Golf Shop employee, as well as assuming Ranger duties. 19 th HOLE We have a new manager for the 19 th Hole for 2008.Amanda Winebarger. Amanda has excellent experience in food services and lives in the area. Her mother is the Postmaster in Montezuma, and many of our residents already know her. She will be working in the Golf Shop until the 19 th Hole opens. I hope her presence there will allow her to meet many of our residents prior to the opening of the 19 th Hole. MESSAGE FROM 19 TH HOLE MANAGER I would like to welcome you all back and would also like to invite you to join me at the 19 th Hole!!! I have not had the pleasure to meet everyone. Please let me introduce myself.my name is Amanda Winebarger. I am native to this area and I believe that a lot of you may already know my mother, Debbie Winebarger, Postmaster at the Montezuma Post Office. I will strive to make this year a great one for the 19 th hole, as well as its patrons. The menu has changed to help serve you more efficiently. We will be having specials from time to time, so please check out the blackboard at the 19 th Hole. I look forward to seeing you for good food and good times!!! AMANDA
REFUSE We will be recycling newspaper, glass and plastics at two recycle centers. They are located at The Point and Overlook Park. We have notified the local papers and had coverage for Earth Day, April 22 nd. ROAD SAFETY A new road railing has been installed on Ridge Rd. at the sharp curve towards the top. This guard raid has been installed to NCDOT specifications. Approximately $70,000 has been budgeted for road improvement projects this year.
TENNIS COURTS The overgrown trees around the tennis courts have been removed. This area has been totally re-landscaped. The difference in appearance is dramatic, and hopefully pleasing to the majority. The Tennis Committee requested some assistance with renovating their indoor facility at their pavilion. Our team working with the committee produced a facility that we can all be proud of. Please take the time to drop by and visit this new feature for Land Harbor. Our Tennis Club has a facility to be very proud of Respectfully submitted;